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Uzbekistan, China hold next round of political consultations

Uzbekistan and China held political consultations between their foreign ministries in Beijing on July 11.

The status and the prospects for intensifying the Uzbek-Chinese relations in political, trade, economic, investment, cultural, humanitarian and other spheres were discussed during these consultations, Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry said.

During the political consultations, the parties focused on the process of implementation of the agreements reached during the meetings and negotiations between Uzbek and Chinese presidents in September 2013 and May 2014, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The two sides emphasized the joint implementation of a number of mutually beneficial projects in various spheres. For instance, the construction of a 19 kilometer long Angren-Pap railway line is underway in Uzbekistan. The railway line, being constructed with participation of China, is expected not only to ensure a smooth transport corridor between Uzbekistan's regions, but also serve as an interregional route.

"The process of preparations for the upcoming political contacts, working out the drafts of the bilateral agreements and contracts in various spheres were reviewed during the meeting. The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues," Uzbek Foreign Ministry said.

The parties also underscored their equal interests in establishing and developing direct ties between the scientific and educational institutions, cultural and art organizations of the two countries.

On the same day, Beijing hosted the next meeting of the subcommittee on cooperation in the sphere of security of the Uzbek-Chinese intergovernmental committee on cooperation, according to Uzbek Foreign Ministry.

The first meeting of the Uzbek-Chinese intergovernmental committee on cooperation took place in Beijing Oct.25-26, 2011.

The committee is aimed at coordinating and intensifying the multifaceted bilateral cooperation. Six subcommittees on the key spheres of Uzbek-Chinese cooperation (security, transport, science and technology, high technology, telecommunications, agriculture and tourism) have been created with this purpose.

Currently, the relations between the two countries develop in all spheres under the joint declaration on the establishment of strategic partnership signed during the first state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Uzbekistan in September, 2013.

The bilateral trade volume between the two countries increased by 1.5 times in 2013, compared to 2012, and stood at $5.2 billion.